Support for Family and Friends of Persons Living with Mental Illness

A SELF HELP GROUP IN KINGS COUNTY

Caring for a loved one who is dealing with a mental illness can require emotional and practical support. You are not alone. This self help group was started in the fall of 2008 to share personal experiences in response to the need of support for the families and friends of persons living with serious mental illness.

While it originated through families involved in the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (SSNS), the group feels it can offer support to families dealing with a wide range of brain illnesses, including psychosis (a break with reality), major depression and bi-polar disorder. This is not a resource group to provide technical, medical, or legal aid, or for advocacy although our experiences may have touched on these issues.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Kentville have kindly offered the use of their space, and everything shared within the group is confidential.

We meet on the first Monday of each month from 7-9 pm:

CMHA Offices (Suite 109)

49 Cornwallis St.

Kentville

If someone you know or meet might be interested, please encourage them to contact us at:

SSNS toll free number

1-800-465-2601

or email kcschizophreniasociety@hotmail.com

"The Schizophrenia Society of Canada exists to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy and research.... as well as their families."

CBC Radio | Cross Country Checkup | This Week

Here is the link to an announcement about a radio program on CBC Radio One. The show is Cross Country Checkup. The show is about mental illness with the Honourable Michael Kirby as the guest. The show is on Sunday Jan 11 at 5:00 pm. AST.

CBC Radio | Cross Country Checkup | This Week

The Experience of Schizophrenia

Here is a good article on relapse and relapse prevention. The article was written by a consumer themselves. This person has good insight into schizophrenia and the early warning signs of relapse. I truly hope that this article will be of help to anyone who decides to check it out.

The Experience of Schizophrenia

Strerngthening Families Together

FREE REGISTRATION!

Strengthening Families Together

Do you have a relative or friend with a serious mental illness?

Would you like to learn more about his or her illness?

Delivered by family members who have direct experience with the psychiatric illness of a loved one, and enhanced by invited speakers with topical expertise, Strengthening Families Together is a Canadian-based educational program for families and friends which provides information, skill-building, and support.

You will learn about:

· Early intervention and recovery

· Treatments and supports

· Coping with challenges of daily living

· Navigating the mental health system

· The importance of taking care of yourself, too

In partnership with Capital District Community Mental Health Services and Inpatient Services - 7^th Floor Abbie J. Lane, the HRM Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia will deliver Strengthening Families Together in Halifax beginning at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 29^th, 2009, in Room 1613B, Camp Hill Veterans' Memorial Building, 5955 Veterans' Memorial Lane.

For an outline of the Strengthening Families Together program, please click here. Please note that Sessions 4 and 5 are being combined into one session and one additional session dedicated completely to mood disorders is being added.

A flyer announcing this session is attached; please feel free to post this flyer for others to see. Mental health service providers are strongly encouraged to forward this email or to distribute the flyer to family members who might be interested.

Registration

To register for this 10-week session of Strengthening Families Together, contact Donna Methot at (902) 462-8658 or send an email to hrmchapterssns@accesswave.ca.

Quotes from participants of 2008 Strengthening Families Together sessions:

“I would like to say thank you so very much for taking the time and effort to have this program on Thursday nights. It has been a wonderful experience and I am sad to see it end.”

“This has been a blessing to me. I am very satisfied with my experience with the group, and my understanding of the health care options and support available to us has greatly increased. I would highly recommend Strengthening Families Together to any who will listen! Thanks.”

“Some solid strategies and ideas on how to help our son.”

“I feel this program is a wonderful launching pad; it equips us to participate in community events and gives us connections to others who are equally passionate about understanding mental illness. It’s a valuable resource.”

Supporters

Funding for delivery of Strengthening Families Together is provided by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca Canada Inc.

Family Education & Support Meeting

The HRM Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Family Education & Support Meeting

Monday, January 12^th, 2009

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Room 6015

Halifax Infirmary, QEII Health Sciences Centre

1796 Summer Street,

Halifax, Nova Scotia

(Summer Street South Elevators)

Presenting: Another Double Billing

7:00 - 7:45 pm Dr. Stephen Ayer

Executive Director

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

Influencing Public Policy Relating to Schizophrenia & Psychosis

8:00 - 9:00 pm Dr. Zenovia Ursuliak

Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program

Motivational Interviewing (Part Three): Building Better Relationships – Particularly with Those Who Lack Insight – Through Effective Communication Skills

This technique is promoted by Dr. Xavier Amador in his book I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help! It utilizes the LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner) approach.

For those who are not familiar with Motivational Interviewing, a brief outline of Dr. Ursuliak’s initial presentation will be available as you arrive.

Please join us in learning about Motivational Interviewing and role playing various scenarios. (Role playing is on a voluntary basis only.)

Film Series On The Ethics Of Mental Health

Film series on THE ETHICS OF MENTAL HEALTH, starting with MICHAEL CLAYTON, Jan.14/09 (7PM). Hosted by Novel Tech Ethics.

To Whom It May Concern:

Novel Tech Ethics (Dalhousie University) is beginning a new season of public education events, starting with “States of Mind 2009: A FILM SERIES WITH PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON THE ETHICS OF MENTAL HEALTH”. The series features 13 different panellists spread across four sessions on four consecutive Wednesday nights, beginning Jan.14, 2009 with the movie MICHAEL CLAYTON (starring George Clooney). All screenings begin at 7:00PM at the QEII’s Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer Street. Please help us advertise this event by posting this message to any relevant e-mailing lists, listservs, websites, news bulletins, blogs, and Facebook groups to which you may have access. Please invite your co-workers, students, friends, and family. All are welcome. No reservations. Come early, seating is limited.

For those interested in joining our e-mailing list for future notices of this and like events, please send us an e-mail at nte@dal.ca If you know of any places where you might put up a printed version of the film series poster, please obtain a copy made available here or paste the following address into your browser:

For further information on this and other upcoming NTE public education initiatives, go to the “Events page” of <www.noveltechethics.ca>. Detailed schedule below:

Wed., Jan.14, 2009 (7:00 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- MICHAEL CLAYTON: film and panel discussion

- Panellists: Marika Warren (Bioethicist), Susan Kilbride Roper (Patient/Community rep.), Claire O’Donovan (Psychiatrist), Sheila Wildeman (Health Lawyer)

- Topics: Bi-polar disorder, Anxiety/Stress, Addiction, Family dysfunction

Wed., Jan.21, 2009 (7:00 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- THE SAVAGES: film and panel discussion

- Panellists: Marika Warren (Bioethicist), Marilyn Martineau (Patient/Community rep.), Maureen Gorman (Psychologist), Joan Harbison (School of Social Work)

- Topics: Aging & dying, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Family relationships, Caregiving

Wed., Jan.28, 2009 (7:00 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- MUSIC WITHIN: film and panel discussion

- Panellists: Marika Warren (Bioethicist), Judy MacDonald (School of Social Work), Josh Dunn (Patient/Community rep.), Scott Theriault (Psychiatrist)

- Topics: Disability Rights, Cerebral Palsy, Hearing loss, Alcoholism, PTSD, Veteran’s Issues

Wed., Feb.4, 2009 (7:00 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- CHARLIE BARTLETT: film and panel discussion

- Panellists: Marika Warren (Bioethicist), Richard MacNeil (Teacher/Community rep.), Michael Unger (School of Social Work), Wade Junek (Psychiatrist)

- Topics: ADHD, Drug abuse, Teen identity Issues, Family Dynamics

Mon., Feb.16, 2009 (7:30 PM), Uncommon Grounds, 1030 South Park St., Halifax

- AUTISM – RESEARCH PRIORITIES AND THE PUBLIC PURSE: Café Scientifique

- Panellists: Susan Bryson (Psychologist), Andrew Fenton (Ethicist), Michael Price (Autism Program Director)

- Moderator: Françoise Baylis (Philosopher & Bioethicist)

- Online registration required at http://www.noveltechethics.ca/site_events.php?page=394 or call 494-2873.

Wed., Feb.18, 2009 (7:30 PM), Uncommon Grounds, 1030 South Park St., Halifax

- AUTISM – RESEARCH PRIORITIES AND THE PUBLIC PURSE: Café Scientifique

- Panellists: Susan Bryson (Psychologist), Andrew Fenton (Ethicist), Michael Price (Autism Program Director)

- Moderator: Françoise Baylis (Philosopher & Bioethicist)

- Online registration required at http://www.noveltechethics.ca/site_events.php?page=394 or call 494-2873.

Mon., Mar.16, 2009 (7:00 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- THE DIVING BELL & THE BUTTERFLY – film and panel discussion

- Panellists: Shawn Jennings (MD & author of Locked In, Locked Out), Lynette Reid (Bioethicist), Gord Gubitz (Neurologist), Maureen Merchant (Speech Pathologist), Diane Mackenzie (Occupational Therapist)

- Topics: Stroke, Locked-in Syndrome, Intensive Care & Long Term Care

Wed., Apr.29, 2009 (7:30 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- FUNDING FOR NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH – WHO SHOULD PAY? HOW? WHY?

- A public talk by Jason Scott Robert, Bioethicist, Arizona State University

Wed., June 10, 2009 (7:30 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

- PATIENTS’ VOICES MATTER – WHAT DOCTORS CAN LEARN FROM TALKING WITH PATIENTS

The Dana Foundation - Eric Kandel on the Year in Neuroscience

Here is an article about the progress made in 2008 on research in neuroscience. It is through neuroscience that researchers will be able to discover better treatments and eventually a cure for various mental illness's. I personally have much faith, hope, and courage that scientists will make great progress and will develop better treatments and will eventually find that cure that everyone is working so hard to discover.

The Dana Foundation - Eric Kandel on the Year in Neuroscience